Supreme Court will hear California gay marriage cases

A defining year for gay marriage may be in store for 2013 as the United States Supreme Court agrees to hear two key cases.

The two cases involve the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a between a man and woman, and also California’s Proposition 8.

Both are landmark cases and overturning them could have huge implications.

Theresa Volpe and Mercedes Santos have been together 21 years. They have two children. And while their civil union offers some rights and protections, they cannot marry in Illinois. They are part of a lawsuit challenging that state statute.